And the Bulldogs will have to do it again today when the reigning premier sets out on its biggest chase of the Cricket Albury-Wodonga provincial season against Belvoir at Kelly Park.

“No one is giving us a chance really outside the boys in the 11 or 12,” Hales, 25, said.

“I reckon we can get the 257 runs.

“We saw how they went about it through Johnny Spencer and Eggy (Ryan) McNeil last weekend as they waited on our bad balls and put them away.

“If we are patient, I think we’ll get the runs.”

While Hales admitted skipper Robbie Jackson was the key batsman in their line-up, he said the Bulldogs’ top order had plenty of bite with Dylan Beattie and Bryce Garvey showing their class on several occasions this year.

Garvey leads the club’s aggregate with 225 runs at 32.14, but will need the support of Beattie, Jackson, Jack Craig and Hales to chase down the competitive target.

“The wicket was fine last week and it was good for batting and bowling,” he said.

“Once Johnny Spencer got settled he made it look easy.

“There is a bit there for everyone and it will just come down to batting out the overs.

“We have plenty of ability at the top and the boys just need to stick it out.”

Wodonga has been on a roller-coaster ride this season, starting with wins against Tallangatta and Lavington before losing to Albury and North Albury.

It then hit back with wins against East Albury and Albury to jump to third on the ladder.

“We have been a bit up and down,” he said.

“We started off all right, then had a few hiccups but have a bit of momentum back after a couple of wins again.

“I think we can start building some momentum and hopefully it continues against Belvoir.”

Hales, who came through the Bulldogs’ junior ranks, took 22 wickets in Wodonga’s premiership campaign last season and is on similar pace with 11 scalps from seven matches this season.

But today Hales will focus on his batting when he resumes on 8 not out with the match precariously positioned.